Answer
The number is 6.
Work Step by Step
step 1
Let x represent the unknown number in the problem.
step 2
"five times x" = 5x
" ... decreased by 4" = 5x-4
" the result is 26" is written as " = 26"
step 3
The equation is
$5x-4=26$
step 4
Solve the equation for x and answer the problem’s question.
$5x-4=26\qquad/+4$
$5x=30\qquad/\div 5$
$x=6$
The number is 6.
step 5
Check the solution in the original wording of the problem.
Five times six (30),
decreased by 4 (30-4=26)
gives the result 26.
OK.
